If you are a golf junkie and were not able to score tickets to last week’s U.S. Open at Merion, the PGA Tour is a short drive away from the New York City area right now at the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands outside of Hartford, Conn., and it sports an interesting field of stars.

Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy are not playing this week, but the field does include U.S. Open champion Justin Rose, Rickie Fowler, Bubba Watson, Keegan Bradley, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Jason Dufner, Hunter Mahan, Zach Johnson, Louie Oosthuizen and Padraig Harrington.

The defending champion is Australian Marc Leishman.

Fowler, Kyle Stanley, Michael Thompson and Patrick Cantlay all turned professional at Travelers. Former U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson, who shot 65 on Thursday and Ryo Ishikawa have also received sponsor exemptions in the past.

Watson and Mahan had their respective first PGA Tour wins in this tournament. Mahan, who was in the mix on the final day of the U.S. Open, is off to the hottest start in Thursday’s opening round, shooting an 8-under-par 62. Even John Daly is in early contention after shooting a 2-under-par 68.

The Travelers is a well-attended event every year and is known as one of the most fan-friendly tournaments on the PGA Tour.

Fowler is making his third appearance and first since 2010. He was given a sponsor’s exemption to play TPC River Highlands in 2009, the same year he officially turned professional.

Westwood is making his second appearance and first since 2005. He has 39 international victories to his credit and is a former No. 1 player in the world.

Poulter will appear at the Travelers Championship for the third time with his best finish coming in 2011, when he tied for 24th.

Dufner is making his fourth appearance and first since 2008. He had a breakthrough season last year, winning twice on Tour. In his career, Dufner has two wins, four second place and two third place finishes.

Tickets are available and are $39 per day and kids 15 and under are admitted free.